Latest news with #GulfCupforVeterans
Arab Times
26-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Iraq Clinches Gulf Cup for Veterans 2025 Title in Dramatic Penalty Shootout
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 26: Iraq's national football team emerged victorious in the inaugural Gulf Cup for Veterans 2025 after defeating Oman in a penalty shootout, with the match ending in a goalless draw after regular time. The shootout concluded with a 4-3 victory for Iraq, securing the title. Iraq's goalkeeper, Noor Sabri, was named the best goalkeeper, and Karrar Jassim received the best player award, while Oman's Ismail Al-Ajmi earned the title of top scorer. The tournament, hosted by Kuwait, received praise for its excellent organization and the high level of competition. A simple closing ceremony, complete with fireworks and performances, took place before the final match. Hassan Matar Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of the Veterans Committee of the Gulf Football Federation, commended the success of the tournament, highlighting the players' distinguished performances despite the short time and pressure. He also expressed gratitude to Kuwait for hosting the event and ensuring a seamless organization. Mohsen Musabah, Vice President of the Veterans Committee, thanked the Ministry of Information and Culture, as well as the Kuwait Football Association, for their excellent hosting of the tournament. He also acknowledged the warm welcome provided by Kuwait and praised the fans and media for their support, which helped give the tournament the attention it deserved. Iraqi goalkeeper Noor Sabri expressed his joy, noting that the tournament surpassed expectations in terms of both organization and the high level of competition. He mentioned that the event was initially thought to be just for entertainment, but the remarkable organization and the quality of play made it much more exciting than anticipated. Oman's coach, Younis Aman, shared his thoughts after the final, stating that there were no losers in the Gulf Veterans Championship, and that all participants were winners. He thanked the Kuwaiti Federation and the Arabian Gulf Cup Federation for organizing such a memorable event, which brought back special memories for all involved. He concluded by praising his players and staff for their hard work and dedication. This edition of the Gulf Cup for Veterans left a lasting impression on everyone involved, showcasing the spirit of camaraderie and high-level football, and set a strong precedent for future tournaments.
Arab Times
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Gulf Cup for Veterans enters decisive stages in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 24: The Gulf Cup for Veterans, hosted by Kuwait, has reached its critical stages with the semi-final matches set for today. The champion of Group One will face the runner-up of Group Two at 4:45 PM, while the champion of Group Two will compete against the runner-up of Group One at 6:30 PM at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium. The tournament will conclude tomorrow, Wednesday, with the final match scheduled for 7:00 PM at the same venue. The second round of the tournament continued with a series of draws. On Sunday, Qatar played to a 1-1 draw against Oman, while Kuwait and the UAE finished 0-0 in Group One. In Group Two, Iraq and Bahrain ended their match goalless, while Saudi Arabia secured a 1-0 victory over Yemen. Bahraini goalkeeping legend Hamoud Sultan praised the Gulf Cup for Veterans, stating that its success was ensured by being hosted in Kuwait. He expressed his gratitude to the Kuwait Football Association and Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef for the invitation to attend, despite not being part of Bahrain's squad. Sultan highlighted how the tournament rekindled fond memories for Gulf football stars who had been away from the spotlight for years. He commended Kuwait for its excellent hosting of the inaugural edition and expressed hope that future tournaments could be held alongside the official "Gulf 27" competition, ensuring greater fan engagement and media coverage. He also emphasized that the tournament prioritizes camaraderie over competition, with its true essence being a celebration of Gulf football heritage under the banner "Made in Kuwait." Sultan further noted that the event serves as a motivation for retired players to maintain their fitness and remain involved in the sport, lamenting the decline in physical activity among some former Gulf stars. Former UAE national team star Nasser Khamis, who won the Best Player Award in the 1990 Gulf Cup in Kuwait, expressed his delight at participating in the event. He was thrilled to reunite with Gulf football icons from the 1980s and noted that the close competition in the group stage demonstrated that any team could claim the title. However, he stressed that the true significance of the tournament lies in the reunion of Gulf football legends. Saudi Arabian goalkeeper Mabrouk Zayed observed that the level of play has been steadily improving. He noted that Saudi Arabia's slow start was due to a short preparation period, but the team's performance against Yemen showed noticeable progress despite some mistakes. Zayed expressed gratitude to Kuwait for organizing the event, describing it as a symbolic recognition of the players' careers. He cherished the opportunity to reconnect with former colleagues in a friendly atmosphere reminiscent of the sport's golden days. Yemeni football veteran Ali Al-Nono acknowledged the challenges of maintaining peak performance due to age, fitness, and limited preparation. However, he emphasized that the tournament's primary goal is to revive cherished memories and reunite Gulf football stars. He extended his gratitude to Kuwait for launching an initiative he hopes will continue in future editions. Veteran Kuwaiti goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Khalidi received widespread praise from critics and fans for his standout performances in the tournament's preliminary rounds. Al-Khalidi credited his strong form to rigorous training and dedication to maintaining his physical and mental sharpness. He expressed excitement about reliving his international career moments, particularly after playing in Kuwait's opening match against Oman. His performances have solidified his status as a key figure in the tournament. Kuwaiti footballer Walid Ali underscored the importance of such tournaments in keeping retired players engaged with the sport. He highlighted how the event encourages former players to maintain their health and fitness, which aligns with the core values of sportsmanship. Ali, known for scoring the decisive goal in Kuwait's Gulf 20 triumph over Saudi Arabia, praised the exceptional performances of goalkeepers, particularly his compatriot Nawaf Al-Khalidi. He affirmed that Al-Khalidi had become one of the standout figures in the competition. The Veterans Committee held a meeting on Sunday at the Gulf Union delegation headquarters, led by Hassan Al-Suwaidi, and all committee members attended. Discussions focused on the tournament's organization and the support required to ensure its success. During the meeting, Mohsen Musbah was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee, signaling a commitment to strengthening the tournament's structure and securing its future presence. The committee praised the positive reception of the event and underscored the importance of integrating it into the official Gulf Cup schedule. This move aims to foster continued engagement with former players and celebrate Gulf football heritage.
Arab Times
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Bashar Abdullah praises the spectacular opening of the Gulf Cup for Veterans in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: The Director General of the Public Authority for Sports, Bashar Abdullah, commended the opening ceremony of the Gulf Cup for Veterans, which kicked off in Kuwait. In a press statement, Bashar described the ceremony as "exceptionally beautiful," highlighting the captivating drone and laser displays that engaged the audience. He emphasized that this tournament follows the successful model of "Gulf 26," recently hosted by Kuwait, which earned widespread praise. Bashar Abdullah reaffirmed Kuwait's ability to organize major sporting events, crediting its experienced sports management teams. He also praised the initiative of the Minister of Information and Culture, Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, for structuring the tournament competitively and scheduling it alongside Kuwait's national holidays, ensuring strong attendance—especially during the opening match between Kuwait and Oman. Regarding the competition, Bashar noted that while all teams are eager to win, it remains too early to predict a frontrunner for the championship title, as all teams have an equal opportunity. Despite his enthusiasm for the event, Bashar expressed regret that his administrative responsibilities prevented him from participating in the tournament with the "Blue Veterans." The group stage of the Gulf Cup for Veterans wraps up today with four decisive third-round matches: The tournament's first round saw three goalless draws in Kuwait vs. Oman, Qatar vs. UAE, and Saudi Arabia vs. Bahrain, while Iraq secured a 1-0 victory over Yemen, thanks to a goal from striker Karar Jassim. Oman coach Younis Aman hailed the opening ceremony as "dazzling," praising the vibrant laser and drone displays that captivated the audience. He noted that both players and fans are relishing the tournament, which reunites former Gulf football stars and rekindles nostalgic memories of past matches. Reflecting on his team's goalless draw against Kuwait, Aman stated: "The Blues managed the game well with their touches and skills. Although we had the upper hand, we couldn't convert our chances into goals." Qatar veteran Mubarak Mustafa also lauded the tournament's organization and expressed appreciation for Kuwait's role in hosting the inaugural edition of this prestigious Gulf event. Kuwait's Nahir Al-Shammari, shared his joy in reuniting with Gulf football legends in this championship, describing it as an opportunity to relive cherished memories of past competitions. He extended his gratitude to the event organizers for the outstanding opening ceremony. Former Oman national team goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi echoed these sentiments, expressing his appreciation for the tournament's organizers. He reminisced about his football journey, saying: "My career began in Kuwait during the Gulf tournaments, and I am honored to return here for the first-ever Gulf Veterans Cup." The Gulf Cup for Veterans continues to foster a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship while celebrating the rich history of Gulf football.
Arab Times
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait gears up for tough UAE encounter in Veterans Gulf Cup
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 22: Kuwait will take on the UAE at 7:45 pm in the second round of Group One in the Gulf Cup for Veterans, which Kuwait is hosting until Wednesday. In the same group, Qatar will face Oman at 4:45 pm, while Group Two will feature Yemen against Saudi Arabia at 6:15 pm and Bahrain against Iraq at 9:15 pm. All matches will be held at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium. Wael Suleiman, former star of Kuwait and Al-Jahra Club and head of the Kuwaiti Veterans team delegation, anticipates fierce competition among the eight participating teams in pursuit of the tournament's inaugural title. In a press statement, he praised the tournament's competitive format, which was initiated by Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi as part of the national holiday celebrations. Suleiman emphasized Kuwait's ambition to claim the tournament's first title, noting that it coincides with the Gulf tournaments, including the upcoming "Gulf 27" in Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the efforts of the Blues' technical staff, led by veteran coach Mohammed Ibrahim and assistant Hani Al-Saqr, alongside team manager Mohammed Binyan and administrators Ali Mahmoud and Adel Youssef. He also acknowledged the contributions of public relations officer Mohammed Shaaban, media coordinator Hassan Musa, medical department director Dr. Abdul Majeed Al-Bannai, team doctor Dr. Ali Al-Shamali and his assistants, as well as equipment specialist Sami Fattouh, for their role in preparing the players. 'All the players, whether those excluded due to injury or those continuing in the competition, have given their best effort to represent Kuwait honorably. They have demonstrated their commitment to the responsibility entrusted to them, and we greatly appreciate their dedication,' Suleiman stated. He also noted the unpredictability of the tournament's outcome, affirming that all teams have an equal shot at the title, regardless of the early group-stage results. Suleiman expressed gratitude to the Kuwait Football Association for its trust in the technical and administrative staff, commending the support of the association, led by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef Al-Sabah.
Arab Times
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef Al-Sabah: Kuwait ready to host major tournaments
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 19: Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Kuwait Football Association, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all relevant authorities in preparing to host the Gulf Cup for Veterans, set to take place in Kuwait from February 22 to 26. In a press statement, he emphasized that state agencies are working diligently to ensure the tournament's success by addressing any challenges faced by the organizing committees. He stressed that Kuwait aims to deliver an event that meets the highest standards both organizationally and technically, reinforcing the country's reputation as a premier host for major sports competitions. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef highlighted Kuwait's strong infrastructure, financial resources, and skilled workforce, which position the nation as a capable host for international tournaments. He noted that the Gulf Cup for Veterans holds special significance, as it is being staged in a competitive format for the first time, offering a unique opportunity to reunite legendary players and passionate fans from across the region on Kuwaiti soil. He also pointed out that the tournament's organization follows the same model as the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, which Kuwait successfully hosted from December 21 to January 4. The event garnered widespread praise across the Gulf and Arab world, with media outlets commending its seamless execution and high-level competition. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef concluded by welcoming all participating delegations and fans to Kuwait, wishing the teams 'success in the tournament. As of today, Thursday, the delegations from the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman have arrived, completing the lineup of participating teams. The Yemeni team was the first to land in Kuwait last Sunday, followed by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and Iraq on Wednesday. All teams are currently training at the subsidiary fields of Jaber Stadium, with the tournament kicking off Saturday with four exciting matches:
